Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate and the Director of Nutrition in the ministry, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, have been named in the 2025 TIME health list.
The recognition honours the 100 most influential individuals shaping the future of global health.
The TIME health list celebrates leaders, innovators, advocates, and change-makers whose work is transforming health systems, advancing medical science, and improving lives worldwide.
The recognition of two Nigerians from the same institution underscores Nigeria’s rising influence in global health leadership.
Prof. Pate’s selection acknowledges his decades-long commitment to health equity, system reform, and the advancement of primary healthcare.
Under his leadership, and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is undergoing a historic transformation in its health sector.
This initiative focuses on improved governance, better health outcomes, unlocking healthcare value chains, and bolstering health security.
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A cornerstone of this reform is the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, anchored by a sector-wide approach that promotes strategic coordination among government institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to ensure impactful and accountable investments.
Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi was honoured for her pioneering leadership in advancing national nutrition policy and driving systemic food and nutrition reforms.
Her efforts have significantly improved maternal and child nutrition outcomes, reducing malnutrition among vulnerable populations through multi-sectoral, evidence-based strategies.
This dual recognition not only honours the individual achievements of Prof. Pate and Mrs. Bako-Aiyegbusi, but also celebrates Nigeria’s significant strides in health reform, nutrition policy, and global leadership in advancing public health.
